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Stray Dogs

Stray dogs can be brought to the Miami-Dade Animal Services Shelter by good samaritans. Due to the large volume of calls received, if the Animal Services officers cannot respond to the call within 24 hours, the service request will be closed.

Dog traps are delivered free of charge by the Animal Services Department when an animal control officer is unable to capture a stray dog. Residents who need a trapped dog to be picked up can call 3-1-1.

By law, stray dogs over 6 months of age must be held for 5 days in order to give owners a chance to claim their pets. If a dog is healthy and not aggressive, it will be placed for adoption. If the dog is injured or ill, it will receive basic medical care or may be sent to a rescue group to recuperate and be adopted. In cases where the animal is suffering, euthanasia may be necessary. There is however, a 24-hour stray hold for puppies less than 6 months of age.

No time limit is placed on dogs eligible for adoption. In a case where the dog is not eligible for adoption and no rescue group takes it, it would be euthanized soon after the 5 days. Animals may be euthanized because of ill health, temperament or lack of space.

When a pet is surrendered to the shelter by the owner, he/she gives up all rights to the surrendered pet. The pet may be adopted, sent to a rescue group or euthanized the same day. If you want to know if the pet you surrendered was adopted, you can call 3-1-1 to find out. However, you will need the pet's identification number in order to identify your pet and its status.

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